Code Aggregation and Sharing

Abstract

Systems, methods and computer program products for collecting and storing, searching, and sharing units of software. In one embodiment at least one unit of software is received from each of a plurality of collaborators. The software code is stored in a repository and indexed such that a subsequent collaborator or other user, when searching for desired code, can identify the previously submitted code and use it. In one embodiment, each collaborator receives credits in return for submitting software units that can in turn be used to acquire code at another time. In another embodiment, the code is stored in a secure repository such that it can be used as prior art in patent infringement litigation but cannot be used by another party in commerce.

1 . A method for collecting and storing units of software, the method comprising:
 providing computer means operable to receive, store, and evaluate software;   receiving at least one unit of software to the computer means from each of a plurality of collaborators;   receiving information representative of data regarding at least one of the units of software;   operating the computer means to evaluate each of the one unit of software to ascertain at least one preselected characteristic of the one unit of software and to generate one or more code values reflective of the preselected characteristic for each unit of software;   storing each unit of software; and   operating the computer to create an account for each of the plurality of users and to place in each of the accounts the code value for each unit of software supplied by a respective collaborator.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer includes output means for transmitting units of software to a collaborator and wherein a collaborator is in communication with the output means to receive a selected unit of software from the computer, the computer means being operable to thereupon subtract the code value reflective of the preselected characteristic from the account of the collaborator. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising dynamically receiving additional information representative of data regarding one or more of the units of software and adjusting at least one of the code values to reflect the newly received information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing the information representative of data regarding the unit of software in the repository. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of collecting further information representative of data regarding one or more of the units of software from a source other than the collaborator that submitted the code. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source other than the collaborator comprises at least one of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and U.S. court records. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of collecting information representative of data regarding one or more of the units of software comprises collecting information selected from the group consisting of: code language, code functionality, code related intellectual property, code related licenses, a list of other users of the code, a list of any requested restrictions on the collaborative use of the code, length of use of the code, the code developers, and known competitors. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of analyzing the information representative of data regarding one or more of the units of software and generating a risk factor score descriptive of the intellectual property risk associated with operating the unit of software. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act, upon identifying an accusation of patent infringement against at least one collaborator, of searching the repository to identify prior art suitable for use in a defense against the accusation of patent infringement. 
     
     
         10 . A computer program product having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method of providing software code, the method comprising:
 providing a code repository having a plurality of units of software;   receiving a request from an entity to receive units of software related to a defined functionality;   searching the code repository to identify at least one unit of software related to the functionality and identify a value associated with each identified unit of software;   verifying the entity is eligible to receive the identified unit of software; and   if the entity is eligible to receive the identified units of software, providing the entity a code utilization price related to the values.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the defined functionality is for use as prior art related to an invalidity or noninfringement defense in a patent infringement dispute. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising, upon receiving payment of the code utilization price from the entity, providing the units of software to the entity under an agreement that any improvements to the code by the entity are subject to rights held by a collaborative group that has rights in the identified units of software. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the entity has previously submitted units of software to the code repository and received one or more credit points for contributing the submitted units of software, the method comprising the entity applying at least one of the credit points to the code utilization price to acquire the units of software. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the act of identifying the contributor of the identified units of software and adjusting the credit points awarded the contributor to reflect that the contributed units of software were identified in a search and provided to an entity. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the identified units of software do not completely meet the defined functionality, the method further comprising the act of requesting code development from a third party, wherein any code developed by the third party will be owned by a collaborative group that has rights in the identified units of software. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the act of providing the entity a code utilization price related to the values is subject to the condition that the code not by utilized in a market segment designated by a party that contributed the code to a collaborative group that has rights in the identified units of software. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the act of generating and providing to the entity a risk factor score related to the identified units of software that is descriptive of a risk of intellectual property infringement associated with the units of software. 
     
     
         19 . A computer program product having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         20 . A method of identifying software code for use as prior art in patent infringement dispute, the method comprising:
 receiving at least one unit of software from a plurality of collaborators;   receiving information representative of data regarding one or more of the units of software;   analyzing the units of software and the information representative of data regarding one or more of the units of software to generate one or more search parameters for each unit of software, wherein the search parameters can be used to identify content and functionality of the units of software;   storing the units of software and the search parameters in a prior art repository;   analyzing the units of software and the information representative of data regarding one or more of the units of software to generate one or more code values for each unit of software; and   providing to each collaborator one or more credit points based on the code values assigned to the units of software each respective collaborator submitted, whereby the credit points can be used to access the prior art repository.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the act of receiving information regarding technology from a national or multinational patent office and storing the information regarding technology in the prior art repository. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the act of receiving at least one unit of software or information descriptive of at least one unit of software from a party that is not a collaborator and storing the at least one unit of software or information descriptive of at least one unit of software in the prior art repository. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the act of analyzing the information representative of data regarding one or more of the units of software and generating a risk factor score descriptive of the intellectual property risk associated with the units of software. 
     
     
         24 . A computer program product having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of  claim 20 . 
     
     
         25 . A software repository management system comprising:
 an indexing module operable to receive units of software information representative of data regarding the units of software and generate:
 search parameters descriptive of the content of the units of software; and 
 one or more code values associated with the units of software; 
   a shared code storage module for receiving and storing at least one of the units of software, the search parameters, and the values; and   a query module configured for:
 receiving a search request from a user; 
 performing a search of at least one of the units of software and the search parameters to identify any units of software responsive to the search request; and 
 providing to the user an identification of at least one unit of software responsive to the search request and providing the user a code utilization cost that is based upon the one or more values. 
   
     
     
         26 . A system as defined in  claim 25 , further comprising a data storage module having at least one repository selected from the group consisting of:
 an index of prior art for use in patent litigation defense; and   an index of code not owned by an entity having rights in units of software stored in the shared code data storage module.   
     
     
         27 . A system as defined in  claim 25 , further comprising a secure data storage module having one or more units of software that are designated such that they can not be provided to a user in response to a user search request.